St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, UK
History of St Richard's Hospital
In 1784 a Dispensary for the sick and the poor opened in Broyle Road, Chichester. The treatment was entirely funded by charity. In 1826 the Dispensary became the Chichester Infirmary. The Infirmary remained part of the city until 1913, when it could no longer adequately serve the local population. The infirmary was greatly expanded, given the royal charter and renamed The Royal West Sussex Hospital. It was opened in 1913 by King George V as a memorial to king Edward VII. In 1937, the hospital moved to its present site outside Eastgate, Chichester. Throughout the twentieth century it continued to undergo expansion and repair. The hospital became known as St. Richard's Hospital, reflecting Chichester's local heritage. In 1994, the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust was formed with St Richard's as its main site. In 1997, a substantial addition to the hospital comprising the current main block was completed. Today, St Richard's hospital continues to develop with a totally refurbished Radiology Department including a new MRI due for completion by early 2004. A further £20million expansion work, including a Treatment Centre, is currently underway and is due for completion by early 2005.
Marble plaque removed from the old West Sussex Hospital
on its closure in 1994
The City of Chichester
Chichester is a Cathedral city founded over 2000 years ago as a classical Roman town. It greatly expanded in the Middle Ages, initially as a market town and later became a city when the centre was re-laid in a cross formation with a Cathedral at its heart. The Cathedral has existed on its site for over 900 years and holds the Shrine of St. Richard. The city retains many of its original features including the Roman city walls. Chichester is also famous for its Festival Theatre, which opened forty years ago and has since developed a worldwide reputation for innovative plays, with international directors and actors. Outside the city is an attractive countryside and coast. It lies on the south coast of West Sussex between Portsmouth and Brighton.
About this Site
This site provides information regarding the SRHVU which is aimed at the local population and health professionals. The site is created by Mr Mr H Hafez with the valuable contribution of Dr Catherine Johnson. If you have any enquiries or suggestions regarding this site, please contact the "Webmaster"
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